Stephen Posniak, 64, the former ANC commissioner accused of leaving a campfire and causing the Ham Lake fire in Minnesota, apparently killed himself in his backyard around 5:30 p.m. yesterday. He lived on Windom Place in American University Park with his wife. They have one daughter. He retired at age 62 from the federal government, where he worked in information technology security. He was a 1966 graduate of Dartmouth College and earned his master’s at the University of Minnesota.

Posniak’s family does not want to comment at this time. A neighbor who did not want to be named out of respect for them said by phone this morning that Posniak never struck anyone “as a person who would ever act in a malicious way.” Another neighbor who spoke to the Grand Forks Herald said Posniak, who lived in his neighborhood for many years, “spent a lot of time outdoors, walking, in all types of weather.”

Posniak’s lawyer in Minnesota, Mark Larsen, told the press Posniak camped in the area that burned nearly every year for 20 years and “cherished his time” there. He also told the Washington Post that Posniak was “a gentle, kind, caring individual” and that the indictment against him was “an exercise in overcharging.”

His trial was set to begin in Duluth next month. When reached by phone following the charges, Posniak—whom City Paper had interviewed regarding a fight he led against cutting bus routes in Tenleytown—said he could not comment, but promised to call when he could.

A personal note: As someone who camps and loves the woods, I have been thinking a lot about him since that brief conversation. It’s unfortunate he did not have the chance to tell his side of the story publicly. We send condolences to his family and friends.

Steven Posniak of Tenleytown, the former ANC Commissioner accused of setting the huge Ham Lake forest fire in Minnesota, testified at a hearing that he was questioned during the fire and has known he was a suspect since May 8, 2007. He was not indicted until October of this year. The fire burned more than 70,000 acres and destroyed about 150 structures.

Posniak was also questioned May 5 and 6, 2007. Lawyers are arguing that statements made then should be thrown out because Posniak did not know he was a suspect and was not read his rights. He is accused of leaving a burning campfire.

According to the AP, Posniak’s trial will begin in U.S. District Court in Duluth next month. City Desk spoke briefly with Posniak, who notably led a fight against Metro’s plan to cut bus routes, following his indictment. He referred questions to his lawyer.

Steven Posniak, a former ANC commissioner representing the American University Park neighborhood, faces federal charges for setting the 2007 Ham Lake fire in Minnesota, the state’s largest and most expensive forest fire in 80 years.

The indictment alleges Posniak, 64, who notably fought Metro bus cutbacks in Tenleytown, was camping and left his campsite while trash was still burning. The Ham Lake fire burned more than 70,000 acres and about 150 structures, including cabins and homes, valued at $4 million. According to Pioneer Press, the fire cost more than $11 million to put out.

Reached at his home today, Posniak said he could not speak publicly about what happened and referred calls to his lawyer in Minnesota, Mark Larsen. Larsen has told the Minnesota press his client will plead not guilty.

Posniak, who is listed as a retired computer programmer and went to graduate school at the University of Minnesota, will attend a federal arraignment in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or Duluth, according a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota. A trial date will be set after that.

The indictment, according to reports, alleges Posniak gave “false, factitious and fraudulent information” to the U.S. Forest Service in telling officers he camped at Cross Bay Lake and came across the out-of-control fire at Ham Lake.

Drought conditions helped fuel the fire; hundreds were evacuated and it closed the popular Gunflint Trail into Ontario for weeks. No one was injured. Larsen says Posniak has been cooperating with federal officials in the investigation and will continue to do so.